Win for campaigners as NHS boss admits we need a Hospital in Hemel
- Public pressure has forced the NHS to admit that Hemel needs a hospital rather than a mere Hub or Campus
- West Herts NHS Trust boss Matt Coats told the Trust Board recently that ‘We’ve agreed with our partners to develop a new modern community hospital’ for Hemel.
- This is a major win for campaigners – the first NHS admission that a ‘Hub’ or a ‘Campus’ just won’t do for the 155000 people of Dacorum
- BUT THERE IS STILL A PROBLEM
- The NHS believes the assertion by Dacorum Borough Council that the services we need can be squeezed onto the Market Square in Marlowes
- There must be severe doubts about that, with parking under pressure and space at a premium
- There must be public discussion of other options that might work better and be better value for money – including using part of the current Hospital site
- The battle continues!